Loose leaf shift binder



w. E. HASKIN 2,142,786

LOOSE LEAF SHIFT BINDER Jan. 3, 1939.

Filed June 29, 1937 s Sheets-Sheet 1 E F; g l 65 fr 1 67 I 60 6/ 65 ll 1n" 6 i 68 /a 2a WITNESSES INVENTOR waltpr E. Jfash'an ATTORNEY Jan. 3,1939. w. E. HASKIN LOOSE LEAF SHIFT BINDER Filed June 29, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jam 193-94 w. E. HASKIN I I LOOSE-LEAF SHIFT BINDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 29, 1957 INVENTOR waltz? Effczekin ATTORNEYS- WITN E58 ES W. E. HASKIN LOOSE LEAF 3mm BINDER Jan. 3, 1939.

Filed June 29, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTQR wnmcsszs I ATTORN EYS Patented Jan. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE LOOSE LEAF SHIFT BIND-ER York Application June 29, 1937, Serial No. 150,947

20 Claims.

This inventionrelates to a loose leaf binder and particularly to an improved loose leaf shift binder adapted to be made in various sizes and constructed to receive marginally perforated leaves 15; of the full size of the binder or leaves of less size,

or a combination of different sized leaves.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved loose leaf shift binder wherein the leaves, Without removal, may be shifted back and forth longitudinally a distance equal to the distance between twoor'more adjacent perforations in the leaves, obviating the necessity of breaking the back of the binder at the longitudinal center line or otherwise so that the back always lies flat throughout the operation.

An additional object is to provide a loose leaf shift binder of the fully-overlapping arcuate prong type, the structure being so formed that the respective sets of prongs may be readily separated laterally and longitudinally by improved mechanical means, and, more specifically, to provide a binder wherein the hinges of the side covers lie in a substantially lower plane than that shown in my Patent No. 2,134,122, dated Oct. 25, 19.38, to facilitate the use of the binder when positioned on a desk.

A further object is to provide a binder of the type described wherein the rigid back is formed as a channel-shaped structure with side walls adapted for the use of trunnion means positioned therein intermediate the ends as shown in my Patent No. 2,112,094, dated March 22, 1938.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, all of which will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure l is a top plan View of a loose leaf shift binder disclosing an embodiment of the invention, part of the side covers and the inserted leaves being broken away and showing the respective sets of prongs in their normal fully closed relation;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing the prongs in a partly open or shift position and showing the shift lever and respective sets of prongs shifted one notch, or the equivalent of the distance between centers of two consecutive perforations in the margin of the leaves, with-dottedlines indicating the shift lever and respective sets of prongs shifted two notches, or the equivalent of twice the distance between centers of two consecutive perforations in the margin of the leaves;

Figure .3 is a longitudinal sectional view through Figure 1 approximately on the line 3-3;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through Figure 3 approximately on the line 4-4, part of the rocker plates being broken away;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through Figure 4 on the center line 55 showing the curved sleeve and the assemblage of the helical spring with its respective terminals and core;

FigureG is a view in transverse section on the line 66 of Figure 1, showing the respective sets of prongs in their normal fully closed relation;

Figure '7 is a view in transverse section through Figure 2 approximately on the line 1-7 showing the respective sets of prongs in a partly open relation or shift position;

Figure 8 is a view in transverse section similar to Figure '7 but showing the respective sets of prongs in their fully open relation and showing the shifting mechanism in the position which it takes when the prongs are in their fully open position;

Figure 9 is a sectional plan view similar to Figure 4 showing in dot-and-dash lines the rocker plates with portions of the side covers attached and showing the parts arranged for the single shift position of the prongs as in Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the left prong carrier showing a set of arcuate prongs mounted thereon;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the left rocker plate;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the skeleton framework embodying certain features of the invention, part of the side wall being broken away;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the longitudinal sliding system, part of the operating handle being broken away;

Figure 14 is a perspective View of the shift lever.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of the stop hinge by which the side covers are attached to the prong carriers and showing the associated hinge knuckles of the rocker plates.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals, I indicates a rigid back of any desired kind with fixed parallel side walls l preferably a metal channel-shaped member either covered with leather or other suitablematerial or left bare. The side walls are provided with stiffening flanges 2. Depressed trunnions ll may be positioned in the side walls intermediate the ends to provide pivotal mounting means.

Mounted inside the channel-shaped back I and securely attached thereto is a skeleton framework,

indicated generally by the reference character A and shown in perspective in Fig. 12, comprising the following parts: An inner channel-shaped base 3, the side walls 3 of which are offset outwardly near the ends and extended to form projecting flanges 4 paralleling the side walls which flanges may be attached to the sides of the back member by rivets 5. Mounted between the offset side walls of the base 3 are boxed end plates 6 and 6 formed with flanges on all sides, the top flange 6 being partly cut away. Each of the plates is provided with a pair of apertures I equidistant from the longitudinal center line of the base. The offset side walls of the base 3 are provided with similar aligned apertures I. Projecting through the apertures l and I parallel with the side walls are the round fulcrum pins 8. The end plate 6 is provided with a transverse primary slot 9 which is extended into a secondary offset slot 9' and two parallel vertical slots ID. Base 3 is provided on its inner surface near one end with an extruded pin II, a resilient arched spring I2 retained by self-formed lugs I3, and at its center with a curved sleeve member I4 securely attached thereto.

Mounted inside the channel-shaped base 3 is a longitudinally reciprocating sliding system, indicated generally by the reference character B and shown in perspective in Fig. 13, comprising the following parts: A channel-shaped sliding member I5 formed with outwardly projecting flanges I'6 at both sides of the web thereof arranged to slide in the guide rails I'I securely attached to base 3. The slide member I5 is formed with a rectangular opening I8 in the web to provide a passage for the sleeve member I4 and is provided at one end with a wall I9 in the center of which is positioned a keyhole slot and also a cotter pin 2| projecting through apertures 22 in the side walls. The slide member I5 is provided at its opposite end with a round fulcrum pin 23 projecting through apertures 24 in the side walls and also a channel-shaped extension 25 in which is positioned near one side a longitudinal slot 26 with a lateral arc-shaped branch 21 intermediate the ends thereof. A U-shaped operating handle 28 is formed with apertures 29 at the ends thereof and notches 30 on the under edges, mounted to pivot on the fulcrum pin 23 and arranged for longitudinal passage through the vertical slots II] in the end plate 6.

Positioned for passage through the sleeve member I4, is a closely wound helical spring 3| in the nature of a flexible tube structure at one end of which is a threaded terminal 32 which is screwed into the end of the spring for removable attachment. The terminal 32'is formed with a square section 33 provided with grooves 34 on two opposite sides thereof which are positioned in the keyhole slot 20and retained therein by the cotter pin 2| of the sliding member I5. At the opposite end of the helical spring 3| is a threaded terminal 35 which is similarly screwed into the end of the spring for removable attachment and which is provided with a round aperture 36. P0- sitioned inside the hollow or tubular spring 3| is a cable or chain 31 such as, for example, a bead chain, forming a flexible non-stretching core which is securely attached at its ends to the respective terminals 32 and 35. The reciprocal passage of the helical spring 3| through the curved sleeve member |4 operates to divert the course of its motion to planes substantially at right angles as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 5. It will thus be noted that the spring 3| and the cable or chain 3! with their terminals 32 and 36, constitute in effect a flexible plunger which operatively connects the hinge pin 69 and the assemblage B so that the movement of the latter imparts an opening or closing movement of the prong carriers.

Mounted on the fulcrum pins 8 are the left and right L-shaped rocker or oscillating plates 38 and 39. The left rocker plate 38 is formed with a flat surface merging at the outer or left side into an upwardly projecting flange 40 terminating in self-formed plain hinge knuckles 4|, and is provided at the ends with downwardly projecting legs 42 having at the lower outer corners thereof round apertures 43. Positioned at the lower inner corner of the rear leg is a slot 44 and aligned therewith on the forward leg and on the longitudinal center line of the binder is mounted a stabilizer pin 45. The forward leg only has a cutout 46 and is further provided with a rearwardly projecting L-shaped leg extension 41 in the lower flange of which is positioned the rectangular opening 48 as illustrated clearly in Figure 11.

The right rocker plate 39 is substantially a counterpart of the left rocker plate 38, except for the reverse arrangement of the stabilizer pin and aligned slot. The right rocker plate 39 is likewise formed with a flat surface merging at the opposite or right side into an upwardly projecting flange 49' terminating in similar plain hinge knuckles 4| and likewise provided at the ends with similar downwardly projecting legs 42 having at the lower outer corners thereof round apertures 43'. Positioned at the lower inner corner of the rear leg is mounted a similar stabilizer pin 45' and aligned therewith on the forward leg is positioned a similar slot 44. The forward leg only has a similar cutout 46 and is also further provided with a rearwardly projecting L- shaped leg extension 4'! in the lower flange of which is positioned a similar rectangular opening 48'.

In the assemblage of the respective rocker plates 38 and 39 the legs 42 and 42' are positioned in staggered arrangement with the stabilizer pin 45 on the forward leg of the left rocker plate 38 projecting through the correspondingly aligned slot 44 in the forward leg of the right rocker plate 39, and with the stabilizer pin 45 on the rear leg of the right rocker plate 39 projecting through the correspondingly aligned slot 44 in the rear leg of the'left rocker plate 38. This staggered arrangement of the legs and of the respective stabilized pins and slots permits of a limited movement of the respective rocker plates longitudinally in opposite directions relative to each other. The rocker plates are mounted to fulcrum on the fulcrum pins 8 which project through the apertures 43 and 43 and are arranged to be longitudinally slidable thereon. By reason of the stabilizer pins, which are positioned on the center line of the unit equidistant from the said fulcrum pins, the lateral movement of the rocker plates about their pivots is equalized and both plates move an equal distance in opposite directions simultaneously, one plate being prevented by the said stabilizer pins from moving a greater or less distance than the other.

For the purpose of actuating and controlling the movement of the respective rocker plates 38 and 39 longitudinally of the unit a shift lever 49 is provided. This lever is in the form of a cross shown in perspective in Figure 14, consisting of a stem or shank with lateral arms and at the intersection thereof it is mounted to pivot on the extruded pin H' on the base 3. The forward end 59 of the shank projects through the transverse slot 9 in the end plate 6 which slot limits the lateral swinging thereof. The lateral arms 5| and 5|" of the lever are of equal length and are formed with upturned ends 52 and 52 which are arranged to project into the rectangular openings 68 and 68 respectively in the lower flange of the leg extensions 41. and 41 of the rocker plates 38 and 39. By reason of the upturned ends of the lateral arms of the shift lever the rocker plates are free to rotate about their pivots without disengagement from the said lateral arms so that the shift lever maintains operative connection 'with the rocker plates at all times. By reason of the movement of the lateral arms of the shift lever about their central pivot the rocker plates are limited thereby to simultaneous movement an equal distance in opposite directions longitudinally of the unit. The lateral swinging of the end 56 of the stem will cause the respective rocker plates to move simultaneously in opposite directions longitudinally or the actuation of one rocker plate in one direction longitudinally will cause the opposite rocker plate to be automatically moved the same distance in the opposite direction. The rearward end 53'of the shank of the shift lever is provided with an upward projecting locking pin 56 which is arranged to enter and travel in the slot 26 positioned in the extension 25 of the slide 55. By reason of this arrangementthe swinging of the shift lever about its pivot is prevented at all times except when the pin 54 is positioned opposite the opening to or actually entered in the lateral branch 2'! of the slot which will hereinafter be termed the shift position. It will be seen therefore that the longitudinal movement of the respective rocker plates may be effected only at the shift position and that such movement is thus prevented at all other times. It is to be noted that the respective rocker plates are enabled to be moved longitudinally of the binder while in the said shift position by reason of the passage aiforded by the cut-away portion of the t0p flanges 6" of the end plates 6 and 6' but are prevented. from such longitudinal movement while in the fully closed position by the remaining section of the said top flanges.

Positioned between the rocker plates 38 and 39 are the left and right Z-shaped prong. carriers 55 and 56. The left prong carrier 55 shown in perspective in Figure 10 is formed with a flat surface merging at the outer or left side into an upwardly projecting flange 5'! having a series of apertures 55 58 therein and terminating in self-formed castellated or stop hinge knuckles 59. The inner edge of the flat surface merges into a downwardly projecting flange terminating in hinge knuckles 6i. Mounted on the flange 51 is a Borprong plate 62 carrying a set of equally spaced arcuate prongs 63 which are arranged in a straight line on the plate and positioned to project through the aperture 58 and upon which are impaled the leaves 64 having equally spaced marginal perforations 65, the said prongs being spaced on centers equal to a multiple of the distance between centers of the said marginal perforations.

The right prong carrier 56 is substantially a 701 (counterpart of the left prong carrier 55 except as shown. It is likewise formed with a flat surface merging at the outer or right side into an upwardly projecting flange 51 having a series of apertures 58 therein and terminating in selfformed castellated or stop hinge knuckles 59.

The inner edge of the flat surface likewise merges into a downwardly projecting flange 60' terminating in hinge knuckles 6i. Mounted on the flange 51" is a prong plate 62' carrying an exactly similar set of equally spaced arcuate prongs 63 which are arranged to project through the apertures 58..

Positioned for engagement with the stop hinge knuckles 59 and 59' on the upper edge of the flanges 5'7 and 57 of the prong carriers 55 and 56 are the hinge leaves 66 and 66 respectively, carrying the complementary castellated or stop hinge knuckles 61 and 61'. Attached to the respective hinge leaves are the side covers 68 and 68'.

It is to be noted that the arrangement of the prong carriers with relation to the rocker plates constitutes a toggle joint and by the application of force at the junction of the prong carriers'to move the hinge axis of the prong carriers the rocker plates are thereby swayed on their pi ots toward or away from each other.

In the assemblage of parts the hinge knuckles 6| and 6| of the left and right prong carriers 55 and 56 are mounted on the hinge pin 69 and in their coupled relation form what might be termed an equal wing hinge. The hinge pin 69 at its longitudinal center is arranged to pass through the round aperture 36 in terminal 35-positioned at one end of the helical spring 3|. The hinge pin 69 is positioned exactly at the center of the radius of curvature of the respective sets of arcuate prongs so that the prongs may be said to form a section of a cylinder with the hinge pin at the longitudinal center thereof so that as the respective sets of prongs 63and 63 are moved about their common axis towards or away from each other they will always form portions of the walls of a cylinder of a constant diameter being thus maintained in constant alignment and with perfect registration with respect to the perforations in the leaves. It is to be pointed out that the hinge pin 69 is securely fixed with relation to the knuckles 61 but the knuckles 6! have a longitudinally slidable mounting thereon and that the respective sets of knuckles are spaced apart sufliciently to permit of the reciprocation of the left and right prong carriers longitudinally in opposite directions a total combined distance equal to a multiple of the distance between centers of the marginal perforations in the leaves. The outer stop hinge knuckles 59 and 59' of the prong carriers 55 and 56, together with the plain hinge knuckles 4i and 4! of the rocker plates Stand 39 and the stop hinge knuckles 67 and 6'! of the hinge leaves 69 and 6B are mounted on the hinge pins 10 and Hi respectively as illustrated in Fig. 15. It is to be noted that in this assemblage there is no spacing between the various hinge knuckles of each respective group to permit of longitudinal reciprocation of one member with respect to another but that all three members mounted on each respective hinge pin move longitudinally as one unit when actuated by the shift lever. It is to be further noted that the stop hinge knuckles 61 and 61 associated with the side covers 63 and 68 intermesh with the stop hinge knuckles 59 and 59 of the prong carriers but do not intermesh with the plain knuckles 4| and 4! of the rocker plates. The interlocking notches of the castellated knuckles are so disposed as to limit the swinging movement of the side covers and are particularly adapted to permit Figures 6, 7 and 8, but to limit the reverse or closing movement of the side covers to a plane parallel to the plane of the flanges 57 and 51 of the prong carriers as shown in dotted lines in 5 Figure 8. This arrangement enables the binder to be closed from a fully open relation of the prongs as in Figure 8 or any intermediate relation, such as Figure 7, by lifting the side covers.

The said prongs are thus mounted in straight lines on the respective prong carriers. They are arcuate in form, arranged to lie in parallel vertical planes transversely of the back, and grouped in two opposing sets of equal number, the said sets co-operating to receive and impale leaves the 15-margins of which are uniformly perforated at regular intervals. The prongs of each respective setare permanently spaced apart at regular intervals equal to a multiple of the distance between centers of any two consecutive perforations in the leaves and which may, for example, be equal to four times the said distance. The points or free ends of the said prongs overlap the longitudinal center line of the unit in the fully closed and shift positions shown in Figures 1, 2, 6 and '7, 1 but not in the fully opened position shown in Figure 8, the said points in this instance having been separated sufficiently to create a gap for the reception and removal of leaves. The prongs of one set are staggered with respect to those of the opposing set and arranged to be reciprocated longitudinally of the binder in the spaces between the latter prongs. In their staggered arrangement and while in their normal or what may be termed non-shift relationship as shown in Figures :1 and 6, as contrasted with their single and double shift positions as shown in Figures 2 and 7, each individual prong of one set is positioned in the space between the two immediately opposite consecutive prongs of the other set nearer one of the two than the other and at a point equal to one-fourth the distance between them, the said distance being the equivalent of the distance between centers of any two consecutive perforations in the leaves. The respective individual prong ,members of one set in conjunction with the corresponding individual prong members of the other set form a series of pairs of adjacent overlapping prongs co-operating to form a plurality of arches on which leaves impaled thereon may be turned ,from one set of prongs to the other. The distance between the two individual prong members forming each of the said arches, while in their non-shift relationship shown in Figure 1 establishes what may be termed their normal lateral spacing.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that in the normal or non-shift position of the respective sets of prongs, a series of every fourth perforation in the leaves impaled upon the set of prongs 63' gm-coincides and registers with the said set, and, as the said leaves are turned to the opposite set of prongs 63, a second series of every fourth perforation next adjacent to the first mentioned series, coincides and registers with the said sets of prongs 63. By reason of the means for reciprocating the prongs of one set in the spaces between the prongs of the opposing set, the distance or lateral spacing between the two members of the said arches may be increased from that of the 70 normal or non-shift relationship. When the respective sets of prongs are moved to the single shift position, as shown in Figure 2, the said lateral spacing is increased to exactly twice that of the normal or non-shift position, or the equiva- Jent of twice the distance between centers of any two consecutive perforations in the leaves whereby, when the leaves impaled upon the set of prongs 63 are turned to the opposite set 63, a third series of every fourth perforation in the leaves, next in order to the last above mentioned, coincides and registers with the set of prongs 63. When the respective sets of prongs are moved to the double shift position as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 2, the said lateral spacing is increased to exactly three times that of normal, or the equivalent of three times the distance between centers of the said perforations whereby a fourth progressive series of the said fourth perforations coincides and registers with the set of prongs 63 when the said leaves are turned from prongs 63'. In the fully opened position of the respective sets of prongs, as in Figure 8, the said lateral spacing between the two members of any adjacent arches is exactly the same as that of normal.

In the operation of the binder if it is desired to move the respective sets of prongs away from each othertransversely of the back from their normal fully closed relation as in Figure 6 to their fully open relation as in Figure 8, the operating handle 28 is pulled outwardly of the binder thereby actuating the sliding member l5 to cause the helical spring 3| to travel forwardly through the sleeve l4. Being divert-ed thereby from a horizontal to a vertical plane the spring 3| exerts an upward pressure on the center hinge pin 69 coupling the prong carriers 55 and 55. The resultant elevation of the hinge pin 69 transmits an outward pressure through the prong carriers to the rocker plates 38 and 39 causing them to sway on their pivots 8 simultaneously in opposite directions away from each other until the respective hinge pins 1U, 69 and 10' have reached and lie in the same horizontal plane. It is to be here noted that up to this point the initial stage of separating the respective sets of prongs may also be accomplished by manually exerting an outward pull on the respective side covers 68 and 68' thereby similarly swaying the respective rocker plates 38 and 39 on their pivots 8 and transmitting through the prong carriers 55 and 56 an upward pull to the hinge pin 69 until the respective hinge pins 10, 69 and 10' have similarly reached and lie in the same horizontal plane. Thereafter the respective sets of prongs are further separated by continuing the outward pull on the operating handle 28 and as the hinge pin 69 continues its travel upward and after it has left the said horizontal plane the rocker plates reverse their outward swaying movement and are moved inwardly toward their normal position. At the completion of the operation described, the respective sets of prongs 63 and 63' mounted on the carriers 55 and 56 will have reached their full open relation as illustrated in Figure 8. Throughout the operation as described, the upward travel of the hinge pin 69 is maintained in a fixed vertical plane equidistant from the hinge pins 19' and 75 by reason of the control of the movement of the rock-er plates exercised by the stabilizer pins 45 and 45'.

If it is desired to move the respective sets of prongs away from each other transversely of the back from their normal fully closed relation as in Figure 6 to their partly open or shift position as in Figure '7 the same procedure as above described is followed until the respective hinge pins '19, S9 and it have reached and lie in the same horizontal plane. Thereafter the respective sets of prongs are further separated by continuing the outward pull. on the operating handle 28 with a downward pressureuntil the notches 30 contact. the lower end walls of the vertical slots II] in the end plate 6. At this point the locking pin 54, positioned in the rearward end 53 of the shank of the shift lever, having traveled in the longitudinal slot 26 positioned in the slide extension 25, will, have reached a position opposite the lateral branch 21 of the slot. The forward projecting end 50 of the shank of the shift lever may then be swung manually to the right, passing across the resilient arched spring l2 which exerts an upward pressure thereon, until it contacts the end wall of the transverse primary slot 9 in the end plate 6, the locking pin 54 having entered and traveled correspondingly in the lateral branch 21 of the longitudinal slot 2% as illustrated in Fig. 9. The swinging of the shift lever transmits a force through its cross arms 5| and 5| operatively connectedto the rocker plates 38 and 39, causing the rocker plates to be moved longitudinally on their pivots an equal distance simultaneously in opposite directions. This movement is communicated to the prong carriers and therethrough to the respective sets of prongs whereby the same are spaced apart longitudinally a distance equal to twice the distance between. centers of two consecutive perforations in the leaves or. what isherein designated as the single shift position. By manually depressing the end 50 of the shift lever in the slot 9 against the: resistance of the spring l2 it may be swung further to the right in the secondary slot 9" until it has reached the limit of its movement therein whereby the respective sets of prongs are spaced apart longitudinally a distance equal to three times the distance between centers of two consecutive perforations in the leaves or what is herein designated as the double shift position.

From either the partly open or fully open relation of the respective sets of prongs the same may be restored to their normal closed relationship: by the reverse manipulation of the operating handle 28.v In this operation the cable or chain 31 inside the spring 3! constitutes a tractor to draw the hinge pin downward and reverse the relative action of the various parts. It is to be pointed out that so long as the pin 54 remains in the lateral branch 2! of the slot 26 the sliding member l5'is locked against longitudinal movement in either direction as shown in Figure 9. and the binder cannot be closed until the shift lever has first beenv restored to its normal position with the projecting end 5d swung to the left to the limit of its movement in primary slot 9. The binder may likewise be closed by lifting the side covers whereby the notches of the respective stop hinge knuckles come into engagement and transmit the force to restore the hinge pin 69 toits normal closed position. The binder may also be closed in this manner from either the single or double shift positions by first exerting a longitudinal pressure on the side covers to restore the shift lever to its normal position, the

projecting end 50 thereof readily retracing its path over the stop between the secondary slot 9 and the primary slot 9 by reason of the upward pressure thereon exerted by the spring 52 after which the covers may be lifted to close the binder.

In the practical use of the binder the leaves are placed on the prongs 63' starting from the bottom or forward end and are overlapped as shown in Figure l, with. the lower name-bearing margin exposed. The leaves are preferably designed to be of a size to include multiples of four and a minimum of eight marginal perforations equally spaced and the prongs of each respective set are preferably spaced on centers equal to four times the distance between centers of the said perforations so that each leaf will at all times be held in place by at least two prongs in the case of eight perforations and three prongs. in the case of twelve perforations.

The oppose-d sets of prongs are equally spaced and are normally staggered longitudinally of the binder with relation to each other exactly thedistance between. centers of the said perforations. The leaves are preferably provided with a marginal space at the lower right hand corner of the face and the upper left hand corner of the back thereof for inserting the name of the account or other index of the record thereon contained.

If, for example, the leaves bear the names of accounts arranged in alphabetical order and it is desired to enter a new account in its proper place, all the leaves of the section are first turned by hand from prongs 63' to register on the opposite set of prongs 63. The prongs are then moved from their normal to a single shift position as shown in Figures 2 and 7. All the leaves below the point at which it is desired to insert the newleaf are then swung back to prongs 63' and the prongs then returned to their normal position whereby a space is created for the insertion of the new account. The prongs are then separated to their full open relation, as shown in Figure 8, and the new leaf inserted in the space thus created. The prongs are then returned to their closed relation and the operation iscomplete.

If it is desired to remove a leaf and insert a new one in its place the leaves above the point of change are turned from prongs 63 to prongs 63 while the leaf to be removed and all those below it remain on prongs 63'. The prongs are then moved to their fully opened relation and the change effected.

If it is desired to remove a single leaf and close in the gap, the leaves above the removal'point are turned from prongs 63 to prongs G3, the balance remaining on prongs 63'. The prongs are then separated to their fully opened relation and the leaf removed. The prongs are thereupon moved to their single shift arrangement and the leaves remaining on prongs 63' are turned to prongs 63. The prongs are then returned to their normal spacing and the operation is complete.

If it is desired to remove two adjacent leaves and close in the gap, the same procedure is followed except that the double shift arrangement of the prongs is used instead of the single shift.

While I have illustrated and described what I believe to be a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that various changes may be made with regard to the form and arrangement of parts without departing from my invention, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A loose leaf binder, including a rigid back having fixed parallel side walls, a pair of fixed parallel pivots carried by said back parallel to the side walls, a pair of rocker plates mountedto roclg on said pivots, a pair of prong carriers hinged together and pivotally mounted on said rocker plates, a set of arcuate prongs mounted on each carrier concentric with the axis of said hinge, and means for moving the carriers and set of prongs toward or away from each other transversely of the back.

2. A loose leaf shift binder, including a rigid back having fixed parallel side walls, a pair of fixed parallel pivots carried by said back parallel to the side walls, a pair of rocker plates longitudinally slidably mounted to rock on said pivots, a pair of prong carriers hinged together and pivotally mounted on said rocker plates, a set of arcuate prongs mounted on each carrier concentric with said hinge axis, means for moving the carriers and sets of prongs relative to each other longitudinally of the back and means for moving the carriers and sets of prongs relative to each other transversely of the back.

3. A loose leaf binder including a rigid back, a base plate carried by said back, a pair of fixed parallel pivots carried by said back, a pair of oscillating supports mounted to rock on said pivots, a pair of hingedly coupled prong carriers pivotally mounted on said supports, a set of arcuate prongs mounted on each of said prong carriers concentric with the coupling hinge thereof, said prongs extending transversely of the back, longitudinally reciprocating means mounted on said base plate operatively connected with said coupling hinge for moving the same perpendicularly relative to the back whereby said prongs are moved transversely of the back for opening and closing.

4. A loose leaf shift binder, including a back, a base plate carried by said back, a pair of fixed parallel pivots carried by said back, a, pair of oscillating supports longitudinally slidably mounted to rock on said pivots, a pair of hingedly coupled prong carriers pivotally mounted on said supports, aset of arcuate prongs mounted on each of said prong carriers concentric with the coupling hinge axis thereof, said prongs extending transversely of the back, longitudinally reciprocating means mounted on said base plate operatively connected with said coupling hinge for moving the same toward or away from the back to cause the prongs to move in opposite directions transversely of the back, and swingable means for moving said prong carriers in opposite directions longitudinally of the back.

5. A loose leaf binder including a rigid back, a base rigidly secured to said back, a pair of fixed parallel pivots secured to said base, a pair of rocker plates mounted at their ends on said pivots, an equal wing prong-carrying hinge pivotally connected at its outer edges to said rocker plates, a group of arcuate prongs mounted on each wing of said hinge, means mounted on the base for moving the axis of said hinge toward or away from the back whereby the said groups of prongs may be moved simultaneously in opposite directions transversely of the back.

6. A loose leaf shift binder including a rigid back plate having side walls, a base rigidly secured to said back plate, a pair of parallel pivots fixed to said base, a pair of rocker plates longitudinally slidably mounted at their ends on said pivots and arranged to swing beyond the said side walls, each of said rocker plates having a slot therein, a pair of hingedly coupled prong mounts pivotally connected at their outer edges to said rocker plates, each prong mount carrying a group of arcuate prongs concentric with the axis of the said hinge coupling, means for moving the axis of said hinge coupling toward and away from the back plate for moving said groups of prongs toward and away from each other transversely of the back plate, and means for shifting said groups of prongs relatively longitudinally of the back plate, said latter means including a. manually actuated swinging lever having cross arms extending into said slots for simultaneously moving said groups of prongs in opposite directions.

'7. A loose leaf binder including a base, a pair of prong carriers hingedly connected to the base, a hinge connecting the prong carriers, a curved guide fixed to the base. a longitudinally sliding member on the base, and a flexible plunger movable through the guide and connected at one end to the sliding member and at its other end to the hinge which connects the prong carriers, whereby the movement of the sliding member imparts an opening or closing movement of the prong carners.

8. A loose leaf binder including a rigid back, a base secured to said back, a pair of fixed parallel fulcrum pins mounted on said base equidistant from the center, a pair of oscillating plates mounted to swing on said fulcrum pins, a pair of prong carriers positioned between said oscillating plates pivotally connected thereto at their outer edges and having a hinge coupling at their center edges, a set of arcuate prongs mounted on each of said carriers concentric with the central hinge axis, a curved sleeve mounted on said base, a helical spring attached to the hinge axis of said prong carriers and positioned for passage through said sleeve, a reciprocating slide mounted on said base operatively connected to said spring, so that when the said slide is actuated to move the said spring forward of the base the said sleeve will operate to divert the course of the motion of said spring to a plane substantially at right angles whereby the said hinge axis of the prong carriers will be moved away from said base to cause the respective sets of prongs to be moved away from each other transversely of the back.

9. A loose leaf shift binder including a rigid back, a pair of fixed parallel pivots carried by said back, a pair of rocker plates longitudinally slidably mounted to rock on said pivots and each having a slot therein, a pair of prong carriers hinged together at the center and hinged at their outer edges to said plates, thus forming a toggle joint between said rocker plates, a set of arcuate prongs mounted on each carrier concentric with said center hinge axis, a curved sleeve attached to said back, a helical spring. connected to said center hinge axis and positioned for passage through the said curved sleeve for diverting the course of its motion to a plane substantially at right angles, means for actuating said spring to pass through said sleeve so that said center hinge axis will be moved away from said back to cause said sets of prongs to be moved away from each other to a partly-open position, a fulcrum pin mounted on the center line of said back, a T-lever mounted at the junction of its arms to pivot on said fulcrum pin, means extending from the transverse arms of the T-lever into said slots in the rocker plates whereby when said T-lever is swung on its pivot to move said rocker plates and prong carriers the sets of prongs mounted thereon will be moved simultaneously in opposite directions longitudinally of the bac 10. A loose leaf shift binder including a rigid back, a pair of fixed parallel pivots carried by said back, a pair of rocker arms longitudinally slidably mounted to sway on said pivots, a slot in. each rocker arm, a. pair of. prong carriershingedly coupled together at the center of the unit and hinged at their outer edges to said arms, thus forming a toggle joint between said rocker arms, a set of arcuate prongs positioned in each carrier concentric with said center hinge axis, longitudinally reciprocating means carried by said back for moving said hinge axis toward or away from said back for moving said sets of prongs toward or away from each other, a cross-shaped shift lever having equal lateral arms, a fixed pivot for said lever secured to said back, said pivot being mounted at the junction of the arms of the lever, means extending fromthe lateral arms into said slots in the rocker arms, a locking pin mounted on one arm of the lever, a longitudinal slothaving a lateral branch positionedin said reciprocating means and arranged to receive thesaid locking pin so that when the longitudinally reciprocating means are moved; to cause the prongs to be separated laterally the longitudinal shifting of the prongs can take place only at the shift position and when the prongs have been shifted the reciprocating means are prevented from further movement in either direction whereby the binder cannot be accidentally closed when the prongs are in their shifted position.

11. A loose leaf shift binder including a rigid back, a pair of fixed parallel pivots carried by said back, a pair of rocker arms longitudinally slidably mounted to sway on said pivots, a pair of prong carriers hinged together at the center of the unit and pivotally mounted at their outer edges on said rocker arms, a set of arcuate prongs mounted on each carrier concentric with said central hinge axis, means for moving the carriers and sets of prongs relative to each other transversely and means for moving said rocker arms together with said carriers and sets of prongs connected thereto relatively longitudinally of the back totheir shift position, said latter means havinginterlocking engagement with the former means to prevent the closing of the binder while the prongs are in their shifted position.

12. A loose leaf binder including a rigid back, a pair of fixed parallel pivots carried by said back, a pair of rocker arms pivotally mounted to rock on said pivots, a pair of prong carriers hingedly coupled together at the center of the unit and hinged at their outer edges to said arms, thus forming a toggle joint between said rocker arms, a set of arcuate prongs positioned on each carrier concentric with said center hinge axis, longitudinally reciprocating means carried by said back for moving said sets of prongs relative to each other transversely of the back, and stabilizing means carried by said rocker arms whereby the movement of the rocker arms toward or away from each other transversely of the back is equalized and the said arms always move simultaneously an equal distance in opposite directions.

13. A loose leaf shift binder comprising a rigid back, a pair of parallel fulcrum pins carried by said back, a pair of oscillating arms longitudinally slidably mounted to fulcrum on said p ns, a pair of prong carriers pivotally mounted at their outer edges on said oscillating arms hingedly coupled together at the center line of the unit and forming a toggle joint between said arms, a. set of arcuate prongs positioned on each carrier concentric with said center hinge, a manually actuated operating handle, reciprocating means connected with said handle for moving the respective carriers simultaneously in opposite directions laterally, a manually actuated shift lever connected with said oscillating arms for moving the, oscillating. arms and carriers simultaneously in opposite directions longitudinally of the back whereby the respective sets of prongs are shifted accordingly and may be moved to a single shift or a double shift position.

14. A loose leaf shift binder including a base,

a pair of fixed parallel fulcrum: pins carried. by said base, a pair of rocker" arms longitudinally slidably mounted to fulcrum on said pins,.a slotin each rocker arm, a pair of prong. carriershinged together between said arms andpivotally mounted. thereon,.a set of arcuate prongs mountedon. each carrier concentric with said hinge axis, longiitudinally sliding means carried by said base for moving the carriers and prongs relative to. each other transversely of the base, said sliding means having a longitudinal slot with a lateral branch therein positioned at the shift position and lever means mounted on said base having lateral arms extending into said rocker arm slots for moving,

the rocker arms and prong carriers simultaneously in opposite direction longitudinally of the base, a third arm of said lever means having an interlocking pin mounted thereon positioned for travel in said longitudinal slot and lateral branch of said sliding means whereby the longitudinal movement of the prongs is preventedat all times except at the shift position.

15. In a loose leaf bind-er the combinationof a base, a pair of parallel fulcrum pins mounted on said base equidistant from the center, a pair of oscillating plates mounted to fulcrum on said-pins, a pair of prong carriers between said oscillating plates pivotally connected thereto at their outer edges and having a hinge coupling at their inner edges on the center line of the unit, a set of arcuate prongs mounted on each of said carriers concentric with the center hinge axis, a curved sleeve mounted on said base, a helical spring having a terminal at each end and positioned for passage through said sleeve, 2; flexible nonstretching core positioned inside of said spring and securely attached to each terminal, a manually operated handle, a longitudinally reciprocating slide mounted on said base and connected to said handle, one terminal of the said helical spring being operatively connected to said slideand the other terminal being operatively connected to said center hinge axis so that when the said handle is pulled outwardly of the binder thesaid slide will be actuated to move the spring terminal forwardly of the base and the-said sleeve will operate to divert the course of the motion of said spring to a plane substantially at right angles whereby the said hinge axis of the prong carriers will be pushed away from the said base to cause the respective sets of prongs to be moved away from each other and so that when the said handleis pushed inwardly of the binder the said slide will be actuated to move the said spring terminal rearwardly of the base and the said flexible nonstretching core will operate conversely to pull the said hinge axis of the prong carriers toward the: said base whereby the respective sets of prongs will be moved toward each other.

16. A loose leaf binder including a rigid channel-shaped back having side walls adapted for mounting of trunnions thereon for pivotal swinging, a pair of rigid end walls carried by said back, a pair of parallel fulcrum: pins mounted on each of said end walls, a pair of rock-er arms mounted to rock on said pins, a pair of prong carriers hinged together and pivotally mounted on said rocker arms, a set of arcuate prongs: mounted on each carrier concentric with theaxis:

of said hinge, a sliding system comprising a manually actuated operating handle pivotally coupled to a reciprocating slide operatively connected with the said carriers for moving the sets of prongs mounted thereon toward or away from each other transversely of the back, a notch positioned in the pivoted operating handle, one end wall of the back having a slot therein through which the said handle slides longitudinally, the said notch being adapted to receive an end wall of said slot, whereby when the operating handle is moved outwardly of the binder until the end wall of said slot enters said notch the transverse movement of the respective sets of prongs away from each other is arrested at a given point.

1'7. A loose leaf shift binder including a rigid channel-shaped back having side walls adapted for mounting of trunnions thereon for pivotal swinging, a pair of rigid end walls carried by said back, a pair of parallel fulcrum pins mounted on each of said end walls, a pair of rocker arms longitudinally slidably mounted to fulcrum on said pins, a pair of prong carriers hinged together and pivotally mounted at their outer edges on said rocker arms, a set of arcuate prongs mounted on each carrier concentric with the axis of said hinge, a sliding system comprising a manually actuated operating handle pivotally coupled to a reciprocating slide operatively connected with the said carriers for moving the sets of prongs mounted thereon toward or away from each other transversely of the back, a notch positioned in the pivoted operating handle, one end wall of the back having a vertical slot therein through which the said handle slides longitudinally, the said notch being adapted to receive an end wall of the said slot, a manually actuated pivotally mounted swingable T-lever operatively connected with said rocker arms for moving the rocker arms, carriers and sets of prongs mounted thereon simultaneously in opposite directions longitudinally of the back, the said lever having an operating arm projecting through said one end wall, the said end wall having a transverse slot through which the said lever arm is swung but which limits the swinging thereof, the slide being formed with a longitudinal slot and a lateral branch and the lever having a locking pin thereon engaging the slot so that when the operating handle is moved outwardly of the binder until the end wall of said vertical slot enters said notch, the projecting arm of the T-lever may be swung in the said transverse slot to the limit of its movement whereby the degree of longitudinal shifting of said prongs is governed.

18. A loose leaf shift binder including a back, two pairs of fixed parallel pivots carried by said back, a pair of rocker arms longitudinally slidably mounted on said pivots, a pair of prong carriers hinged together at the center and pivotally mounted at their outer edges on said rocker arms, a set of arcuate prongs mounted on each of the carriers concentric with the axis of the center hinge thereof and adapted to receive leaves perforated at regular intervals, the respective prongs of each of the said sets being spaced apart equally at a distance equal to a multiple of the space between centers of any two consecutive perforations in the leaves, each individual prong of one set being staggered with respect to and positioned in the space between the two immediately opposite consecutive prongs of the other set nearer one of the two than the other, the said individual prongs of one set forming with the nearest individual prongs of the opposite set a series of pairs of adjacent overlapping prongs co-operating to create a plurality of arches on which leaves impaled thereon may be turned from one set of prongs to the other, the normal lateral spacing between the two members of each of the said arches being equal to the said distance between centers of any two consecutive perforations in the leaves, mechanical means for moving the said sets of prongs simultaneously in opposite directions transversely of the back to a partly open position, mechanical means for moving the said rocker arms, carriers and sets of prongs simultaneously in opposite directions longitudinally of the back at the said partly open position whereby the said lateral spacing between the two members of each of the said arches may be increased from that of the said normal to twice or three times their normal spacing.

19. A loose leaf shift binder including a rigid back, a base carried by said back, a pair of parallel pivots mounted on the base, a pair of rocker plates longitudinally slidably mounted on said pivots, each of said rocker plates having a slot therein, a pair of prong carriers hinged together and pivotally mounted on said rocker plates, a set of arcuate prongs positioned on each carrier adapted to receive leaves provided with equally spaced marginal perforations, reciprocating mechanical means for moving the respective carriers and sets of prongs toward or away from each other transversely of the back, a fulcrum pin mounted on the center line of said base equidistant from said rocker plates, a T-lever mounted at the junction of its arms to swing on said fulcrum pin, means extending from the equal transverse arms of the lever into said slots in the rocker plates, a rigid end wall carried by the base having a primary transverse slot merging into a secondary depressed extension, the said lever having a manually actuated projecting arm positioned for movement in the said transverse slot, an arched spring positioned on said base under said arm for exerting an upward pressure thereon so that when the lever is swung on its pivot the projecting arm traverses the primary slot until the end wall thereof coacting with the said spring limits the further movement thereof at a point where the respective sets of prongs have been shifted in opposite directions longitudinally of the back a distance equal to the distance between centers of two consecutive perforations in the leaves and whereupon, when the said projecting arm is manually depressed against the upward pressure of the said spring and traverses the secondary slot extension until the end wall thereof limits its further movement, then the respective sets of prongs will have been further shifted a total distance equal to twice the distance between centers of two consecutive perforations in the leaves.

20. A loose leaf shift binder including a rigid back, a pair of parallel fulcrum pins at each end of the back equidistant from the longitudinal center line of the unit carried by said back, a pair of rocker plates having end legs longitudinally slidably mounted to fulcrum on said pins, a pair of prong carriers hingedly coupled together on said center line and hinged at their outer edges to said plates, thus forming a toggle joint between the upper edges of said rocker plates, a set of arcuate prongs positioned on each carrier concentric with the axis of said hinge coupling, means for moving said axis toward and away from said back for moving the said carriers and sets of prongs relative to each other simultaneously in opposite directions transversely of the back, means for shifting said rocker plates on their pivots for moving the said carriers and sets of prongs relative to each other simultaneously in opposite directions longitudinally of the back, stabilizing means associated with the rocker plates comprising a pair of pins positioned. on said center line one on the forward leg of the left rocker plate and the other on the rear leg of the right rocker plate respectively, a pair of slots positioned in alignment with said pins one in the forward leg of the right rocker plate and the other in the rear leg of the left rocker plate, the said pins projecting through the said slots and permitting of longitudinal movement of the pins therein without disengagement so that when the said hinge axis is actuated the movement thereof will always be confined to a plane perpendicular to the back and the rocker plates will always move simultaneously an equal distance in opposite directions transversely and be constantly maintained at like relative positions when moved longitudinally whereby the prongs will always remain centered relative to the back.

WALTER EASTER HASKIN. 

